Apparatus for application of identification sleeves to electric conductors



Apnl 13, 1965 P. M. HESTER 3,177,565

APPARATUS FOR APPLICATION OF IDENTIFICATION sLEEvEs TO ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS Filed March 20, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 A --L- 'L L Inventor TM #4 79 m torneys April 13, 1965 P. M. HESTER 3,177,

APPARATUS FOR APPLICATION OF IDENTIFICATION SLEEVES TO ELECTRIC CONDUCTORS PM M rna tameys United States Patent 3,177,566 APPARATUS FOR APPLICATION OF IDENTIFICA- TION SLEEVES T0 ELECTRIC C(BNDUCTQIRS Patrick Murray Hester, Cranleigh, England, assignor to Permark Service Limited Filed Mar. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 266,622 9 Claims. (Cl. 29-203) The present invention relates to apparatus for applying identification and other sleeves to electric conductors or other components. The present normal practice of supplying identification sleeves in boxes from which the operator has to select the required sleeves and fit them to the conductor is a comparatively skilled and time-consuming operation and tends to be wasteful of the sleeves.

Dispensing equipment has been proposed where the identification sleeves are supplied in tubes or threaded on wires from which they are fed into horizontally positioned openings one at a time where they can be collected by inserting the conductor into the apertures so as to pick up the sleeves which are then worked along the conductor by hand.

This procedure can be facilitated by utilizing a transfer member which is inserted in turn into the various apertures to pick up the several sleeves required for the complete identification of a conductor and then the transfer member and the conductor are manipulated in a transfer apparatus which feeds the sleeves along the transfer member' and into engagement with the conductor, and the present invention is concerned with an improved form of such a transfer apparatus.

The transfer member itself preferably has an enlarged head portion terminating a tapered shank, the other end of the transfer member being provided with a deep aperture into which the conductor intended to receive the sleeves can be placed.

The present invention is directed to an improved form of transfer apparatus adapted for power operation and including a tubular member housing a longitudinally movable chuck or collet engageable behind an enlarged head end of a transfer member, and a stripper member pressing laterally against the surface of the transfer member and adapted to slide the identification sleeves on the transfer member lengthwise thereof, then off the end remote from the head and into engagement with the conductor inserted into the aperture in that end of the transfer member. This apparatus permits a sleeve of relatively small bore diameter to be used for a given conductor because the taper of the transfer permits it to be stretched sufliciently to pass on to the conductor and it then contracts into a firm engagement with the latter.

Such apparatus may be designed so as to be readily portable and to be held in the operators hand, in some cases with the assistance of a support cable or a hoist adapted to absorb the weight of the apparatus, or it may be arranged for bench mounting.

In preferred forms of the invention the apparatus comprises a body portion carrying the tubular member and housing a power-operated member adapted to impart the required movement to the chuck or collet and a control device for controlling the movement of the chuck or collet under finger control by the operator.

Preferably the tubular member is detachable and the chuck or collet is movable axially within this tubular extension. At the forward end the tubular member is provided with a detachable stripper unit comprising a plurality of radially movable jaws adapted to be pressed by spring means on to the surface of the transfer member so that when the latter is gripped by a chuck or collet and moved in the axial direction inwardly of the tubular extension, identification sleeves on the transfer member are slid along the surface thereof on to the conductor fitted into the aperture in the end of the transfer member.

Conveniently the transfer apparatus described may be operated by compressed air and in one embodiment of this character the body portion is formed mainly by a cylinder housing a piston connected to a piston rod extending outwardly at one end of the body. The body is provided with a handle carrying a control valve for regulating the admission of compressed air into the cylinder at one or other end thereof so that the piston is moved in one direction or the other by air pressure. The valve is provided with an operating arm or lever suitably placed for operation by the finger or thumb.

The tubular member is screwed into one end of the body and surrounds the free end of the piston rod to which the chuck or collet is detachably fastened.

The jaws of the stripper member are so arranged that the tapered tip end of the transfer member passes through them so that the transfer member can be inserted into the tubular member where it may be engaged by the chuck or collet on the end of the piston rod. Means are provided for allowing the jaws of the chuck or collet to open when the piston rod and the chuck or collet are in the foremost position, thereby to receive the enlarged head end of the transfer member, whereas when the chuck or collet commences to move the jaws close behind the head of the transfer member and pull it inwardly of the device while the sleeves on the transfer member are slid along it and then on to the conductor entered into the end aperture in the transfer member.

The conductor is then removed together with the identification sleeves and the air pressure is reversed to move the chuck or collet to its foremost end position where the jaws are again released and the transfer member can be removed.

Various forms of transfer apparatus according to the present invention are illustrated by way of example on the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a general view illustrating one form of the apparatus adapted to be held in the hand,

FIG. 2 is a general view indicating another form of the invention intended for bench mounting,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through a collet engaging a transfer member and effecting the transfer of the sleeves, and

FIG. 4 is a front view of the head part incorporating the stripper means, the cover plate being removed.

The equipment shown on the accompanying drawings is arranged for manipulating identification or other sleeves 13 initially collected by means of a transfer member or needle 7 from identification sleeve dispensing apparatus for example as described in copending application Serial No. 67,312. This transfer member is shown at 7 and includes an enlarged head 8 adapted to be engaged by the chuck or collet 15 to be described. Said enlarged head portion is followed by a tapered shank portion 9 and then by a cylindrical portion 10 having an end aperture 11 adapted to receive a conductor 12 to which the sleeves 13 are to be transferred.

Speaking in general terms, the function of the apparatus to be described involves the engagement of the head 8 by a collet 15 which draws the transfer member 7 past a stripper unit 19 having stripper jaws 16 pressing laterally against the surface of the transfer member 7 so that as the latter is drawn inwardly the stripper jaws 16 force the sleeves 13 along the tapered part 9 of the transfer member 7, then along the cylindrical portion 10 thereof and then off the end of the transfer member on to the conductor 12.

The transfer apparatus shown on the drawings comprises a body portion 17 providing a cylinder for compressed air operation and housing a slidable piston and an exchangeable tubular extension member 18 carrying the stripper unit '19 at the forward tip and the chuck. or collet 15 is movable within the tubular portion 18' under the action of the piston'within the body 17. T he-part s so far described may be utilised in various ways.

A hand-held unit is shown in FIG. 1 comprrs'ng a handle 21, attached'to the body portion-17, a thumb plate 22 being provided for operating a valve provided internally of the handle 21 and linked through'a portway,

not shown, to one end of the body portion. 17 and through 'a ccnnecting pipe 23 to the other end of the body portion 17. Such a unit may be supported by a cable orhoist to absorb the weight while allowing some freedom 7 of movement.

Alternatively and as shown in FIG 2, the apparatus may be arranged for bench mounting, suitabl'e'support.

arms or bracket'sg24 being provided, and in this case the 7 Whole apparatus is' controlled bya foot-operated .valve connected through pipeways 25 to the, two ends ofthe body portion 17. V

The control valve, for example'that operated by the thumb plate; 22, is arranged toreceive compressed air from a suitable feed pipe 27 and to feed it to either end of the cylinder so that the piston is moved in one direction or the other. The valve itself may be of .the three-position type so that depression of the thumb plate 22 results in moving the piston in one direction (the inward direction) while partial depression ofthe actuating lever or plate cuts off theair pressure but'does'not open any exhaust ports so that the piston remains in its former position. Release of the thumb plate, however,

admits air to the other side of the piston to cause it',

transfer :member: The extreme tips r nay be suitably rounded to provide the fine aperture 29 to receive the enlarged and'pointed tip 8 atithe head endof the transfer member '7, so that by exerting pressure on the transfer. member the jaws 16 admit ormay be opened to admit 9 to engage the sleeves 13. I I The stripper unit. 19 such as describedqi readily removable and may be exchanged for a different unit to suit a, different size of transfer member 7 when required.

The enlarged head'end 8 of the transfer member 7 insaid member, the jaws-then pressing on the tapered part cludes. a squared back engageable by the chuck or collet :15. This chuck or c ollet is detachable from the piston rod 28 to enable a collet of the correct size to be fitted according to the size of the transfer member which is in use. Accordingly, the end of. the piston rod 28 carries afscrew threaded socket member 31 and the chuck. or collet 15 include s'a screw-threaded carrier 32 adapted to be received by said socket 31. The chuck'or collet'15 includes a gripper sleeve 33 which is slit at the forward end the ,usual way and is held in the carrier, 32 by means of a screw 34; d r

The forward end ofthe sleeve 33 embodies a flared mouth portion 35 adapted to receive-the head end 8 of the transfer member 7, the divided end parts of the chuckor collet'sleeve being thus adapted to open slightly to receive the head of the transfer member in'an enlarged to return to its starting position (the outward position).

The piston is connected to a-piston rod 28 extending into and movable lengthwise of the tubular me'mber 18.

The stripper :unit '19 comprises ,a screw-threaded I to be engaged by a collar' 38 pressed in the outward didetachable cap incorporating the sleeve-stripper jaws 16f adapted to strip the sleeves 13 off the transfer member 7 V being'manipulated by the apparatus,.so as to slide the. V sleeves off. the parallel end portion 10 of the transfer member and allow them to pass in correct order onto the conductor 12. V, v Sleeves 13 may be placed on the transfer member re'ction by means of a spring 39 surrounding the sleeve 33, so, as to close. the latter into engagement with the "transfer member during the stripping operation; The

V collar 38 isadapted to come into butting engagement with 'a step face 41 inthe stripper unit '19 when the piston rod 28 is in its outermostposit-ion ready to receive the transfer member '7. This allows the enlarged head portion 37 by inserting the latter successively' into apertures 'in' a.

dispensing apparatus whereby the different sleeves required for a particular coding are picked up on the transfer member 7 and are first slidone by one along the tapered i part 9 to an extent required'to accommodate the given number of sleeves, before inserting into the transfer device shown r I.

In utilising the apparatus according' to the invention the transfer member 7 bearing the required number of a in the collar 38 and thus closes the collet sleevel33 into toenter a recess" 42 by movement within the collar38 against the actionof the spring 39 and 'permitsthe collet sleeve 33 mb open to receiveandQ-grip the .head 8 of the transfer member 7. On inward movement of the piston rod 28 the enlarged head portion 37 moves initially withgripping engagement with the transfer'member 7.

identification sleeves 13 with a conductor 12 inserted into the end aperture 11 thereof, is inserted: through a fine aperture 29 at the tips o f the stripper jaws 16 and is engaged by the chuck or collet '15, so that the latter is adapted to pull thetransfer tubular member 18.

The stripper jaws 16 press member into the against the surface or the transfer member 7 and as the piston'rod 28 moves in f wardly due to the admission of airpressure under the controlof the valve, the transfer member 7 together r the conductor 12 are drawn'through the stripper member.

19 and the jaws 16 push the sleeves along the transfer .memlber and 'oflf the end thereof and into engagement with .the conductor 12. 'The latter is conveniently stationary or nearly stationary during these operations so 'thatjithel sleeves are transferred smoothly onto thesurface of the conductor r The stripper 7 unit the tubular member 18 and th ere may betwo, three or more jaws 16 whichare r'adially movable against springs '20 and are suitably shaped attheir tips, as indicated in FIG. 4. Asshown three suchfjaws are providedpeach 1 9 screws into the free end; of

. 1y away from the stripper" unit 19. ;:The collar'38 closes the. chuc k 'or collet sleeve 33 firmly into eng'a'gement with of thetransfer member 7. Such a transfer member I V fication sleeves 13, and the conductor 12rto' which the v The action of the equipment described vwill'now be 'briefly'explained." Initially and with the operating control valve in its normal unoperated position the piston is subjected to air pressure inthe direction which forces the piston rod 28. to its outer limit where the collar 38" on the chucks-crochet engages the ,face 41 while allowing the chuckior collet sleeve 33 tofmovej onward to a slight extent relatively to the 'collar sothat'the chuck or collet is capableof-opening sufiiciently to admit the head}! 7, bearing one or more identisleeves areto be fitted, is then presentedto thestripper unit 19 and pressed inwardly. The head 8 of the transfer member 7 enters or may open the jaws 16 and the head of the transfer member enters the chuck or collet sleeve 33. The valve isnowoperated,rifor example by depressing the-operating'leveror plate 22 by thumb "or finger pressure, the piston rod 28 moves inwardly of the tubular extension 18 andthe chuck or collet 15, is moved rearwardtheQtra-nsfer member 7fwhich is'thus drawn'inwardly of the,. ext ension 18 untilith e'cylind rical. part 10 of-the trans- I fer member 7 is placed between the strippermembers 16. being V-shaped *a't'its end at an' angle of .120? so that they fit closely one to the other prior to insertion of the Meanwhile the stripper" members 16 engage the sleeves 13: and slide .themalon'gthe transfer member 7 and then off the end of the transfer member on to the conductor 12; then the conductor now carrying the sleeves can be removed.

On release of the operating lever or plate '22 the piston rod 28 and the chuck or collet 15 move forwardly to their starting position, ejecting the transfer member 7 which can now be pulled out of the apparatus.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for transferring identification and other sleeves to electrical components including a tubular member housing a longitudinally movable collet engageable behind an enlarged head end part of a transfer member, and a stripper member at the forward end of said tubular member adapted to press laterally against the surface of the transfer member, and on movement of said collet .to draw the transfer member into the tubular member,

thereby to slide the identification sleeves lengthways along the transfer member and then off the end remote from the enlarged head into engagement with the component inserted into an aperture in the outer end of the transfer member.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tubular member is detachably fitted to a body portion housing a power-operated means for displacing the collet.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the body portion comprises a cylinder housing a piston adapted to be moved in one direction or the other within the cylinder under the action of a control valve.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control valve is associated with a hand grip fastened to the body portion.

5. Apparatus according to claim '3, wherein the control valve is mounted remotely of the body portion, for selective operation, and the body portion is provided with support brackets for bench mounting.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tubular member comprises a detachable unit at the forward end including stripper elements pressed laterally inwardly by spring means into uniform engagement with the surface of the transfer member so as to engage identification or other sleeves placed thereon and to push said sleeves along the transfer member as the latter is drawn inwardly of the tubular member by the action of the chuck or collet.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the collet comprises a detachable unit fitted to the end of an operating rod said collet including a split gripper sleeve adapted to be engaged with the enlarged head part of the transfer member.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the gripper sleeve includes a tapered forward portion engageable with a collar slidable on the outer surface of the sleeve, said collar being engageable by a fixed part to enable the sleeve portion to move relatively to the collar to allow it to open sufficiently to engage over the enlarged head part of the transfer member, the operating movement for the collet thereafter allowing the collar to close the collet into firm driving engagement with the transfer member to draw same inwardly of the tubular member while sliding the sleeves along the transfer member and transferring them on to the component intended to receive the sleeves.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the detachable stripper unit at the forward end of the tubular member comprises a plurality of radially movable stripper jaws protected by a detachable cover plate, the stripper jaws being of V-shape at their tip with a fine aperture formed on the central axis so that on insertion of the transfer member the stripper jaws are pressed outwardly by the head end of the transfer member and thereafter they press against a tapered peripheral face of the transfer member to engage against the sleeves and to slide them along said transfer member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,218,904 10/40 Burd 29235 2,388,309 11/45 Curtiss 29-235X WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. MILTON S. MEI-IR, Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING INDENTIFICATION AND OTHER SLEEVES TO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS INCLUDING A TUBULAR MEMBER HOUSING A LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE COLLET ENGAGEABLE BEHIND AN ENLARGED HEAD END PART OF A TRANSFER MEMBER, AND A STRIPPER MEMBER AT THE FORWARD END OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER ADAPTED TO PRESS LATERALLY AGAINST THE SURFACE OF THE TRANSFER MEMBER, AND ON MOVEMENT OF SAID COLLET TO DRAW THE TRANSFER MEMBER INTO THE TUBULAR MEMBER, THEREBY TO SLIDE THE INDENTIFICATION SLEEVES LENGTHWAYS ALONG THE TRANSFER MEMBER AND THEN OFF THE END REMOTE FROM THE ENLARGED HEAD INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COMPONENT INSERTED INTO AN APERTURE IN THE OUTER END OF THE TRANSFER MEMBER. 